Eshbaal, also known as Ish-Bosheth, was Saul's son who ruled the northern tribes of Israel until his assassination, mentioned first in 2 Samuel 2:8.
About Eshbaal (Ish-bosheth)
Eshbaal was the fourth son of King Saul. He became the king of Israel after Saul died. Eshbaal's name means “man of Baal” or “Baal exists.” (1 Chronicles 8:33; 9:39). In the time of the judges and when Israel first had kings, many Hebrew names included the word baal (which means “master” or “possessor”).
Later, people wanted to avoid saying the name baal, because Baal was the name of a false god. So they changed baal to bosheth, which means “shame“ (compare Hosea 2:16–17). That is why Eshbaal is called Ishbosheth in 2 Samuel 2:8, which means “man of shame.” Some think scribes changed the name in the book of Samuel because people read it out loud in public during synagogue services. The book of Chronicles was not read in the same way.
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Saul (Son of Kish), Ahinoam
- Siblings 5
- Jonathan, Abinadab (Son of Saul), Malchi-shua, Merab, Michal
- Half-siblings 2
- Armoni, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 21:8)
- Niece/Nephew
- Mephibosheth
Key References
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
All Scripture References (2)
1 Chronicles (2)
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.
Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.